The author(s)

Washington, D.C. - In this week's Reuters/Ipsos Core Political, one third of Americans (32%) report feeling optimistic about the direction in which the country is headed, unchanged since last week. Republicans feel the most positive about the direction of the country (62%), while Democrats (14%) and Independents (24%) are much less hopeful about where things are headed.

President Trump’s approval ratings remain constant from last week among all Americans (39%). Republicans continue to be Trump’s stronghold, with 79% approving of how he is handling his job as president and almost half (45%) strongly approving. Democrats are the most critical of President Trump, with just one in ten (11%) approving of Trump’s job performance and 74% who strongly disapprove.

For Americans, immigration (19%) and healthcare (19%) are tied as the most important problem the country is facing. However, there is a continued divergence between what Republicans and Democrats think is the biggest issue. More than a third of Republicans (36%) think immigration is the biggest problem, while one in three Democrats (28%) think it is healthcare. For Independents, healthcare (22%), the economy (17%) and immigration (14%) are the top three most important issues.

When asked which political party has a better plan, policy or approach, Democrats score highest on women's rights (42%), gay marriage (41%) and the environment (41%). Republicans score highest on jobs and employment (38%), the U.S. economy (37%) and the war on terror (37%). Democrats have a ten-point lead when it comes to healthcare (28% of Republicans vs. 38% of Democrats), one of the most important issues Americans think the country is facing. The two parties are virtually tied when it comes to immigration (33% of Republicans vs 35% of Democrats), the other top issue as reported by Americans.

About this Study

These are findings from an Ipsos poll conducted for Thomson Reuters between April 29-30, 2019. For the survey, a sample of 1,004 Americans, including 345 Democrats, 352 Republicans, and 214 Independents ages 18+ were interviewed online. The precision of the Reuters/Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points for all adults, 6.0 percentage points for Democrats, 6.0 percentage points for Republicans, and 7.6 percentage points for Independents. For more information about credibility intervals, please see the appendix.

The data were weighted to the U.S. current population data by gender, age, education, and ethnicity. Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online polls. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error. Figures marked by an asterisk (*) indicate a percentage value of greater than zero but less than one half of one per cent. Where figures do not sum to 100, this is due to the effects of rounding. To see more information on this and other Reuters/Ipsos polls, please visit http://polling.reuters.com/.

About Ipsos Public Affairs

Ipsos Public Affairs is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research practice made up of seasoned professionals. We conduct strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and international organizations, based not only on public opinion research, but elite stakeholder, corporate, and media opinion research.

Ipsos has media partnerships with the most prestigious news organizations around the world. In Canada, the U.S., UK, and internationally, Ipsos Public Affairs is the media polling supplier to Reuters News, the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. Ipsos Public Affairs is a member of the Ipsos Group, a leading global survey-based market research company. We provide boutique-style customer service and work closely with our clients, while also undertaking global research.

About Ipsos

Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. Ipsos ranks fourth in the global research industry.

With offices in 89 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across five research specializations: brand, advertising and media; customer loyalty; marketing; public affairs research; and survey management.

Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of €1,749.5 million in 2018.